[gurps] Vehicles 630 vs. 311 vs. 707

[David Scheidt]

On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 11:37 AM, Onno Meyer <Onno.Meyer at gmx.de> wrote:
> Here come three sailing craft for Traveller.
>
> The first is a TL6 ship from a backwater region of a TL8 world in the
> TL9 Federation of Arden. She has three separate navigation systems of
> of different types -- basic TL6 compass/sextant/chronometer/maps, TL9
> GPS (dependent on sats) and TL9 transponder/radio (dependent on nav
> fixes from the starport). Obviously calling the starport is the last
> resort, but TL9 GPS should give the right position if it gives any
> position at all, unless deliberately distorted.

Another failing of GURPS Vehicles mixed TL stuff.  Nobody with access
to TL8 tech builds a TL 6 boat.  Even where they're building basically
a TL6 boat, there are things you'd use from higher TL.  A TL 8 prop
would improve performance -- and it's no more expensive than a TL6
one, as the difference is shape, not manufacturing process or
material.  It can be green sand cast iron from a wooden mold, just
like a TL6 one.  You just need the right mold.  TL8 fasteners will
make the boat last longer, be safer in a storm, etc, and not cost a
whole lot.  A TL8 rig (sails, lines, winches) would be more durable,
safer (less risk of coming apart in a storm, among other advantages)
and would let a smaller crew operate her.  That might be fairly
expensive, but it would reduce the operating costs.


-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com